The OKR cycle isn't a "set it and forget it" process. It thrives on consistent engagement. Regular check-ins and reviews are the pulse of your OKR system, providing opportunities to assess progress, identify roadblocks, and make necessary adjustments.
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Types of OKR Check-ins and Reviews

• Weekly OKR Check-ins (Team Level):
  
  • Purpose: The most frequent and crucial touchpoint. These are short, focused meetings (15-30 minutes) where each team member or sub-team provides a quick update on their Key Results.
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  • Focus:
    
    • What progress has been made on KRs since the last check-in? (Score/Status update)
    • What are the top priorities for the coming week to move KRs forward?
    • What roadblocks or challenges are preventing progress?
    • Are any KRs at risk, and do we need to adjust our strategy or seek help?
      
      
  • Outcome: Identify immediate issues, re-prioritize efforts, and ensure everyone is aligned on weekly actions. This is where real-time problem-solving happens.
    
    
• Bi-Weekly or Monthly Department/Leadership Reviews:
  
  • Purpose: To review progress at a higher level, understand cross-functional dependencies, and ensure departmental OKRs are contributing to company-level goals.
    
    
  • Focus:
    
    • Overall progress on department/team OKRs.
    • Identification of cross-functional blockers.
    • Resource allocation discussions.
    • Strategic adjustments based on new information.
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  • Outcome: Provides a slightly broader perspective, allowing for strategic nudges and resource re-allocation if needed.
    
    
• Mid-Cycle Review (Typically halfway through a quarterly cycle)
  
  • Purpose: A more in-depth review to assess the overall health of the OKRs and determine if any Objectives or Key Results need modification due to significant changes in circumstances.
    
    
  • Focus:
    
    • Deep dive into the progress of all KRs.
    • Are the Objectives still relevant and ambitious?
    • Do any KRs need to be adjusted (up, down, or removed) based on new data or learning?
    • Are we on track to hit our Objectives, or do we need a major pivot?
      
      
  • Outcome: Decisions on whether to "commit" (continue pursuing as planned), "adjust" (modify the OKR), or "kill" (deprioritize an OKR that's no longer relevant or feasible).
    
    

Key Principles for Effective Check-ins

• Data-Driven: Always come prepared with the latest metrics for your Key Results.
• Transparent: Share progress openly, good or bad.
• Solution-Oriented: Focus on identifying problems and brainstorming solutions, not just reporting status.
• Accountability: Everyone is expected to report on their progress and commitments.
• Learning: Use each check-in as an opportunity to learn from what's working and what's not.

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